Abstract

The study was conducted to find out the effect of smokeless tobacco (ST) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) among non-smokers and smokers. Thirty-seven healthy volunteers of between 19–30 years age, classified into two groups, non-smokers (n=22) and- smokers (n=15), were used. The IOPs of the right eyes were measured before (0min) and 1, 3 and 5mins after sniffing 40mg ST with Pulsair 2000 tonometer. Among non-smokers and smokers, the difference in mean IOP at different times (0min, 1min, 3mins and 5mins) was statistically significant by one-way ANOVA (p<0.05). Post hoc analysis using Duncan multiple range (DMR) test showed that the peak IOP was at 1min after sniffing ST. The difference in IOP before sniffing ST between smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant by Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). Also the difference in the peak time of 1min between smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was concluded that ST stimulates aqueous humour formation thereby tending to raise IOP and this could enhance the chances of developing ocular hypertension in patients that are predisposed to glaucoma.

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